OROKO CULTURAL ASSOCIATION – USA
2505 Greenes Lane
Powder Springs
GA 30127
05/19/2019
Minutes for Executive Meeting
The national executive meeting began at 7.34 p.m ET with opening prayer by Iya Naomi Ebile, followed by a roll call by the Secretary General. The National President Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje took the floor and thanked members for participating in the meeting and also those who have done their registration for OCA-USA so far. She talked about the national uniform (197 pieces) which are now available and urges chapter presidents to do a head count on their various chapters so that the uniforms can be distributed accordingly as well as for those who do not have a chapter. She mentioned that some people have registered online and she needs the list of names of registered members so that she can add them on our OCA-USA forum. She proceeded by saying that we have a new chapter in Minnesota with about 20 members, a bank account and an executive. She continued by saying that our guest speaker in this year’s national convention will be Iya Dr. Doreen Mekunda who is a lecturer at the university of Buea and who also helped to carry out our humanitarian assistance program back in Cameroon. She continued by saying that she has drafted a letter for anyone who wish attend our national convention from abroad.
On his part, the national technical adviser Tata Adolphus Ati also asked if there can be a space for Dr. Dan Friesen who will be a guest at our convention to present to us their program. Iya Caroline Pufong who is the national Financial Secretary also weighed in by suggesting to the national president to have a back up plan for our guest speaker since she will be coming all the way from Cameroon. The national president mentioned that our guest speaker will enlighten us with first hand information of what is happening on the ground in Cameroon in general and Oroko land in particular in line with our humanitarian assistance program.
Still on the national uniform, the national president mentioned that there are some people who called requesting for the uniform who are not Georgia chapter members. The national Vice President Tata Mosongo Nanje also weighed in by saying that he paid for four uniforms and four other people in his chapter have indicated that they will need the uniform. Iya Caroline Pufong also weighed in by saying that she has the list of names of those who paid on paypal for the uniform.
The national president applauds the National Treasurer Iya Naomi Ebile for her engagement in outreaching members and also to boost our membership drive and attendance. She continued by saying that the national uniform is mandatory for all registered chapter members.
On her part, the national Treasurer Iya Naomi Ebile, mentioned that we should also encourage new people at the convention to buy our national uniform.
On her part, the Cultural Secretary Iya Gwendoline Forseh mentioned that she will know by June during their meeting in Colorado those who will be willing to buy the national uniform since they are just a new chapter.
The national president Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje also mentioned that this is an election year and she wants chapter members to reach out to people for participation at the this year’s national convention. During this meeting, the President of the newly form chapter in Minnesota Tata Thomas Elangwe was also introduced to the executive and he was welcomed by members, while also mentioning that he was happy to be part of OCA-USA.
On his part,the Public Relations Officer Tata Victor Nanje mentioned that the flyers for the national convention were ready and he will put them in strategic positions. Still with respect to the flyers, Iya Caroline pufong mentioned that the name and number of the National Treasurer Iya Naomi Ebile should be added to the flyers to facilitate fundraising and accountability. The PRO mentioned that the final print of the flyers will be ready by Friday.
On his part, the Georgia chapter President Tata Evaristus Nanje mentioned that he has put out a tentative budget for our convention and asked if there is any question with regards to the budget he sent out. Iya Caroline Pufong who is the National Financial Secretary weighed in by saying that the national is in charge of the hall, the DJ, the flyers and the decors and food, drinks etc are the responsibilities of the local chapter.
On his part, the Secretary General of the Georgia chapter Tata Emmanuel Nanje, mentioned that the national should come up with their own budget and reconcile it with that of Georgia chapter.
However, Iya Caroline Pufong disputed the proposal made by the Georgia Secretary General by saying that it is the local chapter that suppose to come up with their budget and the national will take care of what partakes to them. The National President weighed in by saying that they have done an arrangement for the DJ for $1200 package and this was adopted by executive. This package however, comes with a red carpet, pictures, videos, and DJ.
On her part, the Cultural Secretary Iya Gwendoline Forseh also asked if Oroko chapter members have been reaching out to other groups in their communities. The PRO, Tata Victor Nanje weighed in by saying that Oroko Georgia has been participating in fundraising for four different groups and handed them with envelopes. The PRO continued by saying that he is going to send out the first flyer now and the second flyer will future our guest musician Tata Betondi James after he obtains his visa. The budget for advertising was voted to a sum of $700.
The National President connected Tata Jackson Nanje who is a producer to our guest musician Tata Betondi James to update us with his visa process. Tata Jackson Nanje mentioned that, instead of going via a Lawyer, he was advised to file a report with the American Federation of Musician in order to facilitate that visa process. He decided to send the necessary documents which were approved and later he paid a sum of $250 and an application fee of $460 for I-29 and the receipts were sent to the National President.
The National President also mentioned that she has ordered the national Treasurer to disbursed the 40% owed to the Chicago chapter during last year’s convention but it was advised that the chapter should present two witnesses from the chapter because of lack of account own by the chapter and since the money will be paid to thier President’s personal account.
The Dallas Chapter President Tata Winston Okole also mentioned that their fundraising was successful and thanked members who participated. A $300 was agreed to be advanced to the DJ. The meeting was adjourned at 10.00 p.m.ET
Those who attended this meeting include;
Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje -National President
Tata Mosongo Nanje- National Vice President
Iya Naomi Bebe Ebile – National Treasurer
Tata Victor Nanje – PRO
Iya Caroline Pufong – Financial Secretary
Tata Aldophus Ati – Technical Adviser
Iya Gwendoline Forseh – Cultural Secretary
Tata Evaristus Nanje – President Georgia chapter
Tata Winston Okole – Dallas Chapter President
Tata Charle Mokwe – California Chapter President
Tata Emmanuel Nanje – Secretary General Georgia Chapter
Tata Emmanuel Ikoe – Secretary General
Done by:
Emmanuel Ikoe
Secretary General
OCA-USA
